Here’s everything you need to know about Comme des Garçons, including: what does Comme des Garcons mean? And who is Comme des Garçons?

What is Comme des Garçons?

Comme des Garçons (often abbreviated as “CDG“) is the iconic Japanese fashion house founded by Rei Kawakubo, renowned for its avant-garde and unconventional designs.

Born in Tokyo in 1942, Rei Kawakubo established Comme des Garçons in 1969 with no formal fashion training. Initially a womenswear brand, Comme des Garçons expanded into menswear in 1978 as it gained popularity in Japan.

In 1981, Comme des Garçons had its first show in Paris. Seeking to shake up the European fashion scene, Kawakubo’s debut collection featured all-black garments that were distressed, oversized, and asymmetrical. Needless to say, the collection was met with skepticism, and was dubbed “Hiroshima Chic”.

However, the brand quickly gained a cult following around the world. At a time where French couturiers dominated the fashion scene with chic, feminine silhouettes, Comme des Garçons’s deconstructed dark garments challenged the status quo. Today, Comme des Garçons is still one of the most distinctive luxury brands out there.

So, what does Comme des Garcons mean? 

Comme des Garçons translates directly in French to “like boys”.

The name was inspired by Françoise Hardy’s song “Tous les garçons et les filles” (All the boys and the girls).

What is PLAY Comme des Garçons?

PLAY Comme des Garçons is one of the myriads of brands that fall under the Comme des Garçons umbrella—perhaps the most mainstream—directed at a younger audience. PLAY’S heart logo, designed by Filip Pagowski, is instantly recognizable. 

 

According to Adrian Joffe, Kawakubo’s husband and president of Comme des Garçons, PLAY was “created by not designing […]. For [Kawakubo] it was a fresh direction, as before her designs had to be new, but this time the idea itself was new, for Comme des Garçons to do a collection that wasn’t designed, that was only a t-shirt with one mark.”

 

In complete contrast with its parent label, PLAY offers a range of simple, wearable garments, featuring its iconic heart-shaped logo. One of PLAY’S most popular designs is the Chuck Taylor sneaker created in collaboration with Converse.

Already a classic, these quirky canvas shoes come in a range of colors, both as high-tops and low-tops. They feature the All Star logo on the inner side, and PLAY’s signature heart on the outer side. They’re available on italist for both men and women.

Other product lines by Comme des Garçons include Girl, Tricot, Ganryu, Homme Plus, Wallet, and BLACK.

How do Comme des Garçons x Converse Chuck Taylors fit?

Do Comme des Garçons Converse run big or small?

These sneakers are unisex, and come in half sizes: men’s US 3 to US 12.

If you’re a woman (or you have narrow feet), we recommend going down half a size from your regular size.

If you’re a man (or you have wider feet), go for your normal size.

Keep in mind that canvas shoes tend to loosen up over time, so don’t worry if they feel a bit tight when you first try them on. To break them in faster, try wearing them with a pair of thick socks.

Comme des Garçons x Converse chucks are crafted from premium materials, and they’re possibly the most comfortable Converse shoes out there. They have a removable insole with moisture-wicking properties, which means your feet will stay dry and fresh.

What to wear with Comme des Garçons Converse?

Converse shoes are a wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down—they just always seem to work!

We love to pair these chucks with ankle grazer jeans (to show off the PLAY logo) and a simple PLAY hoodie. To make a statement, dress up this casual look with bold accessories.

These shoes are perfect all year round, but, in the summer, we love how they look with a flowy skirt or a sundress. We like to always match the color of the shoes with at least another item in the outfit.

Now that you know what does Comme des Garcons mean, discover our selection of Comme des Garçons clothing and accessories for women and for men, and PLAY Comme des Garçons clothing and accessories for women and for men, and save up to 40% off local retail pricing.

About the Author

Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.